Callapsible shed

ABSTRACT

An improved collapsible structure for, but not limited to, the safety of the launch valve voyage repair team while engaging in removal, installation or performing routine maintenance of the launch valve and the water break assembly in all weather conditions. It is quickly installed or removed and serves as a means to protect the launch tube valve and the water break assembly in all weather conditions while said valve and assembly are disassembled.

FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCHED

Not Applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a collapsible shed for, but not limited to,covering both a launch valve trough pit and the water brake assembly piton an aircraft carrier while engaging in repairs and maintenance to thelaunch tube valve assembly or the water brake. Note: The term shed isused in its broadest sense and is not intended to be limiting to theinventions uses.

2. Prior Art

Conventional launch valve trough covers consisting of a frame andcovered with a light weight plastic or aluminum sheeting which areerected and used to cover an area of the launch valve trough, such asthe launch valve or the water brake, while engaging in repairs andmaintenance are well recognized by those skilled in the art.

The square footage area under which repairs and maintenance can bepreformed to the launch tube valve assembly or the water brake aredefined by the size of the shed which can be erected. Repairs andmaintenance are a normal routine and are preformed in various weatherconditions. The current said sheds are not constructed to be used inweather where winds exceed 20 mph or 23 knots. The current sheds are notweatherized thereby work stops in unfavorable weather conditions. I.e.:Cold, heat, rain, sleet or snow. Current sheds are not self contained inthat they require many of the tools i.e.: pneumatic wrenches, weldingleads, lighting as well as the ventilation to be pulled in through thedoor which are both cumbersome and block the means of ingress andegress. The prior sheds are neither easily transported nor easily storedand they lack a means to fasten them safely to the flight deck of theship.

SUMMARY

The invention described herein is a structure improving, but not limitedto, the safety of the launch valve maintenance personnel while engagingin removal & installation or routine maintenance of the launch valve inall weather conditions. It is quickly installed or removed. It is, butnot limited to, rectangle in shape. In the retracted form, the end anddoor panels fold upward and inside, locking to the roof. In the raisedposition and once unlocked, the end and door panels swings down to forman end panel and a door for an entrance and exit. The side panels arehinged to fold inward in the retracted position and unfold as theinvention is raised. Neither end panel nor side panel or the door panelis a structural member of supporting the roof section. The roof sectionis supported by the arms that raise and lower the invention.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 DRAWING SHOWING THE: Overall invention in the fully RETRACTEDposition. operational controls (1), guides (2), lower guide rail (3),female arms (4), male arm (5), ram (6), upper guide rail (7), end anddoor panel locks (8), female fixed journal box (9), male fixed journalbox (10), utility port (11), external electrical connection (12),ventilation port (13), container twist lock (locked) (14), door tubing(15), roof section (16), deck seal (17), bottom section (18) anddoor(23).

FIG. 2 DRAWING SHOWING THE: Overall invention in the fully RAISEDposition. female arms (4), male arm (5), ram (6), container twist lock(unlocked) (14), roof section (16), side track arm and ram housing (18),folding side panel (19), safety device (20), end panel (21), doorpanel(22) and door(23).

EMBODIMENT ONE; DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 1 AND FIG. 2 NUMERIALS 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 & 23: FIG. 2,NUMERIALS 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23

Embodiment One of the Invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (perspectiveview). The invention is set over an aircraft carriers launch tube valveassembly by a crane. The invention is a frame with a roof section (16),bottom section (18), panel locks (8), end panels (21), door panels (22),door (23), control panel (1) connected to a ram (6) which are connectedto the arms (4 & 5). There are two bottom arms “female” and one upperarm “male” that form an X. The arms are contiguous. There is a track andarm housing (18) containing the lower guide rail (3), guides (2) and theupper guide rail (7) also fixed journal boxes (9 & 10). There is a deckseal (17). There are container twist locks (14).

A Continuation of the Embodiment One of the Invention is illustrated inFIG. 2 (perspective view).

Shown in the FIG. 2, is folding side panel (19), control panelanti-lowering safety device (20), end panel (21) & door panel (22).

EMBODIMENT ONE; OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 AND, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, & 15

The invention is set over an aircraft carriers launch tube valve orwater brake assembly by a crane. The invention is connected to the deck,air and electricity are connected to the invention at control panel (1)and an operator raises or retracts the invention by engaging a handlewhich sends a signal to the rams (6) which are connected to the arms (4& 5). There are two bottom arms “female” sandwiching one upper arm“male” that rotates at a pivoting point to form an X. The arms arecontiguous. As the ram contracts, the slidable end of the female arm (4)and travels inside the track and arm housing (18), along the lower guiderail (3) and the upper guide rail (7) while the opposite ends of thesaid arms remain fixed in the fixed journal boxes (9 & 10) causing theroof section (16) to be pushed upwards. As the said roof section israised, the folding side panel (19) unfolds into place. Once the saidroof section is at its full height the operator disengages the end paneland door panel locks (8) and swings the end and door panel down untilvertical then locks them into place. The said bottom section having anunderside has a rubber seal (17) along its perimeter. The invention alsohouses, but not limited too, heaters, fans, electrical outlets, ac & dclighting, medical supplies, beds, communication & radio equipment. Theroof section has a storage area.

Advantages

From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of the embodiment ofthe collapsible shed can be interpreted and are listed below:

-   -   (A.) The invention manufacturer by virtue of the collapsible        shed will now be able to be produce in quantity by manufacturing        like parts. Prior art required the current manufacturer to        produce a housing to a specific design. One shed can fit many        buyers' needs. The improved collapsible shed will allow for a        greater variety of shed designs and performances.    -   (B.) Users of the collapsible shed will need fewer parts in        stock especially if more then one collapsible shed is in use at        one location. Parts are interchangeable from shed to shed.    -   (C.) User can easily vary the collapsible shed performance        criteria to meet external weather pattern changes in repair        areas.    -   (D.) Users can apply the collapsible shed in applications where        adverse weather conditions would diminish and cease current work        productivity.    -   (E.) User can shorten down time due to adverse climates.    -   (F.) User can hasten the repair and or maintenance time.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the improved collapsible shedembodiment can be used as both a collapsible shed as well as protectionagainst adverse environmental conditions while it allows for safelyworking over the launch tube valve assembly and the water brakeassembly. Many outdoor deck, but not limited to, flight deck processesthat have historically been restricted by climatic change can be acontinuous process whereby reducing down time. Also the collapsible shedwill improve the voyage repair teams' safety in many industries.

1. A means for improving a shed whereby the shed is collapsible.
 2. Inclaim 1, the shed protects the launch tube assembly from debris.
 3. Inclaim 2, the shed protects the voyage repair team by providing shelterfrom the elements.
 4. In claim 3, the shed is retractable therebyallowing a weather tight cover for the launch tube valve and water breakassembly while work has stopped without removing the shed.
 5. In claim4, the shed is portable.
 6. In claim 5, the shed has external,interlocking members so that sheds can be easily stacked vertical.
 7. Inclaim 6, the shed can be transported by air, rail, vessel and over theroad.